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Conservation Clips is a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. These articles are not indicative of NACD policy and are the opinions of their authors, unless otherwise noted. If you have a relevant submission or need assistance with accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
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NACD Blog: Oyster Reef Restoration with Parsons Seafood, Tuckerton NJ (Great Bay)
01/13/22
Ocean County Soil Conservation District’s Sustainable Practice’s for Aquaculture Resources Conservation project (SPARC) continues efforts to provide technical assistance to aquaculture farmers in the Barnegat and Great Bay watersheds to further develop the conservation practices of the NJ NRCS Aquaculture Initiative.
NACD Blog: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding Opportunities: NRCS Watershed Programs
01/10/22
NACD’s Government Affairs Team will be releasing a series of blog posts to break down funding opportunities for districts through the infrastructure law as agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), and others work to get this funding implemented on the ground.
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USDA: USDA Offers Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities to Support Climate Smart Agriculture in 2022
01/10/22
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. Other partners include the National Association of Conservation Districts, Soil Health Institute, and The Sustainability Consortium.
National Hog Farmer: Vilsack wants to double cover crop acres by 2030
By Jacqui Fatka
01/10/22
Farmers For Soil Health works to advance use of soil health practices – especially cover crops – on corn and soybean farms. Other partners include the National Association of Conservation Districts, Soil Health Institute, and The Sustainability Consortium.
Agri-Pulse: Biden, Vilsack champion trade, market reform efforts to Farm Bureau
By Spencer Chase
01/10/22
(Subscriber Only) The plan was announced by way of a partnership with Farmers For Soil Health, an initiative of the United Soybean Board, National Corn Growers Association and National Pork Board, as well as with the National Association of Conservation Districts, Soil Health Institute, and The Sustainability Consortium. The groups will work with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to see about 30 million acres of cover crops by 2030.
South Dakota News: USDA Expands Conservation Program Opportunities
01/11/22
Partners include the National Association of Conservation Districts, the Soil Health Institute and The Sustainability Consortium.
Penobscot Bay Pilot: Mark Hedrich to be inducted into National Association of Conservation Districts’ Hall of Distinction
01/08/22
Both the Knox-Lincoln SWCD Board of Supervisors and staff, and the Maine Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) Executive Committee have announced that Mark Hedrich, of Agricola Farms, in Union, has been accepted by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for entry to their Hall of Distinction in 2022.
Tallahassee Democrat: Why abolishing Soil and Water Districts is the wrong move
By Jessica Ferris
01/12/22
(Opinion) Today, there are nearly 3,000 conservation districts nationwide involved in efforts to conserve, protect, and sustain the health of our soil and water. Should this bill pass, Florida would be the only state in the country to abolish their conservation districts.
Chesa Del Crier: 2021 Delaware State Conservation Poster Contest Winners Announced
01/11/22
The Delaware Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, announced the winners of its annual conservation poster contest, which provided students with an opportunity to convey their artistic impressions about soil, water and related natural resources based on the 2021 theme, “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.”
Star Herald: NRD reflects on 50 years
01/08/22
Throughout 2022, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) will celebrate 50 years of protecting lives, property and the future. During the next 12 months, the NRDs will commemorate breakthroughs and achievements in conservation.
The Tribune: Conservation district receives $80,000 grant
By Aubrey Woods
01/08/22
The Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District recently received an $80,000 matching funds grant to help producers with cover crops and pasture/hay planting.
The Sheridan Press: Sheridan County Conservation District seeks water quality improvement project applications
By Margaret O’Hara
01/08/22
The Sheridan County Conservation District will be accepting applications for assistance with water quality improvement projects through Feb. 11.
Richmond Palladium-Item: $29K grant to help demo garden grow at Wayne County Fairgrounds
By Mike Emery
01/10/22
A one-acre garden is planned for the Wayne County Fairgrounds. A $29,000 matching grant will help fund that project, according to a news release. The Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District received the grant from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the State Soil Conservation Board.
The Times Leader: Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District to repurpose real Christmas trees
By Carri Graham
01/10/22
“What we’re doing with them is sinking to the bottom of ponds for fish habitat and creating brush piles on public land for rabbit habitat,” she said.
News is my Business: NRCS provides $19.5M+ in tech, financial conservation aid to Caribbean farmers in ’21
01/12/22
In 2021, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided more than $19.5 million across its different programs to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the agency announced.
Honolulu Civil Beat: A New Crop Of Farmers Is Helping Hawaii Grow More Food
By Brittany Lyte
01/09/22
“I think sometimes generation-to-generation we get stuck in how our grandfather or our father did something,” said Vericella, who is 33. “I knew I couldn’t do it the same way that my grandpa did it and I knew that was OK.”
News Wise: Assessing diversity to Improve soil health, pollinator habitat through prairie restoration
01/06/22
The diverse mixture of grasses and flowering plants that covers grassland benefits bees and other pollinators and builds healthy soil. However, once this ecosystem has been disrupted, landowners and managers need to know what level of plant diversity must be established for restoration efforts to regain these benefits.
USDA: USDA Invests $9M to Expand Reach and Increase Adoption of Climate-Smart Practices
01/12/22
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today a $9 million investment in new Cooperative Extension and USDA Climate Hubs partnerships to bolster climate research and connect and share climate-smart solutions directly with the agricultural community.
USDA-NRCS: USDA Invests $50 Million in Partnerships to Improve Equity in Conservation Programs, Address Climate Change
01/10/22
The Equity Conservation Cooperative Agreements, administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will fund two-year projects to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to farmers who are new to farming, low income, socially disadvantaged or military veterans.
Wallaces Farmer: Carbon Conversations: This approach is the nexus of agriculture sustainability and climate variability.
By Mahdi Al-Kaisi
01/10/22
Research has shown that implementation of CSA practices is economically beneficial, especially during challenging weather conditions, such as extreme drought, where yield can decline.
USDA: USDA to Invest up to $225 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation on Agricultural and Forest Land
01/13/22
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced up to $225 million in available funding for conservation partners through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
VOA: More US Farmers Plant Cover Crops
01/11/22
An increasing number of farmers in the United States are planting cover crops – plants used to improve soil health, increase water availability, and increase environmental health.
Delaware.gov: Urban Forestry Grants up to $5,000 Available
01/10/22
Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is now accepting applications for up to $5,000 in matching grants for tree planting and management projects on public land and community open space.
Dakota Farmer: Cover crop advice: Start small and try rye
By Kevin Schulz
01/10/22
“Start on the smallest field that you own, the least risk that you can put out there that you can manage,” Johnson said. “We’ve even started practices on our farm by me doing it in my garden and proving to my husband that it’ll work. So that’s how we started using rye across our farm was by me putting it in my garden first in showing Brian it really does work and visually seeing it.”
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The Crescent-News: Enhancing crop growth with humic compounds
01/08/22
Humic compounds are organic (carbon) compounds in soil organic matter that enhance plant growth. Humic compounds are composed of fulvic acids and humic acids (highly decomposed SOM) and include many different compounds.
Austin Daily Herald: ‘Cover Crops 101’ returning to area
01/10/22
As cover crops and soil health continue to gain interest in Minnesota, two local experts are bringing back their free workshops to help farmers get started on the basics.
Herlad-Whig: Workshop a “building block” in soil health
By Deborah Gertz
01/06/22
The NEMO/WCIL Soil Health Workshop returns Friday, Jan. 28 with a full slate of speakers covering topics from carbonomics to integrating cover crops into a rotation.
Kansas Farmer: Five ways to help grass recover from wildfire
By Jennifer M. Latzke
01/11/22
Grassland can recover from wildfire with proper management.
The Daily Yonder: Scientists Aim to Protect Crops, Gardens With the ‘Smell of Fear’
By Ashley Stimpson
01/13/22
Recent research has shown that the mere smell of ladybugs can keep aphids at bay. It can also, surprisingly, cause aphids to slow their reproductive rates and increase their ability to grow wings, two behaviors that help the green bugs avoid threats.
E&E News: Monarch butterfly conservation efforts improve. Are they enough?
By Michael Doyle
01/06/22
Monarch butterflies are having a moment — in court, on Capitol Hill and across the countryside. Some migrating populations are up from 2020’s devastating lows. Congress is kicking in more money. Endangered Species Act legal settlement talks are underway.
KMA Land: Water conservation efforts continue along Missouri River
By Ethan Hewett
01/06/22
Drought conditions and low snowpack levels continue to project low runoff and force conservation efforts along the Missouri River Basin.
WCBU: How the natural history of central Illinois could bring farms into the future
01/12/22
“I like to think of the historic landscape of Illinois as this rich mosaic of prairie, forests, savanna, wetland ecosystems,” said Jamie Ellis, a botanist and the natural areas coordinator for the Illinois Natural History Survey.
Technician Online: The questions and answers behind invasive species in North Carolina
By Patsy McKee
01/12/22
The NC Invasive Plant Council’s list of invasive plant species grows longer and longer every year, contributing to crop decimation, human disease transmission and more.
High Plains Journal: Making your land more resilient to drought
By Nancy McNiff
01/13/22
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can help you conserve water and build resilience to drought, through conservation practices that improve irrigation efficiency, boost soil health, and manage grazing lands.
Civil Eats: The Corn Belt Is Losing Topsoil, Increasing Carbon Emissions and Lowering Yields
By Liz Kimbrough
01/10/22
Scientists have found that around 35 percent of the region has lost its most fertile A-horizon soil, more commonly known as topsoil, since European colonization in the 1600s, resulting in estimated annual economic losses of around $2.8 billion and a six percent reduction in crop yields per year.
KUNC: Climate change means growing wildfire risk for more populated Front Range communities
01/11/22
Jennifer Balch, a fire scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, explains what made the fire such a disastrous event, and how communities should plan for more fires in the future.
Hay & Forage Grower: Alfalfa suits a water-challenged future
By Mike Rankin
01/11/22
“Alfalfa is high in water-use efficiency in terms of dry matter yield per unit of water used. It provides some flexibility during times of limited water availability, but it also is able to withstand a short-term flooding event.”
Texas Monthly: Regenerative Ranching Is Better for the Environment, but Can It Be Profitable?
By Dina Gachman
01/10/22
“A lot of the regenerative practices we’ve adopted keep us more drought- and flood-resistant.”
CNN: Two bald eagle eggs have hatched in Florida, part of a huge success story. Here’s what conservationists say we can learn from it
By Christina Maxouris
01/09/22
When two baby bald eagles hatched in Florida in front of a livestream camera in late December, thousands of people tuned in to see it happen.
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